Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/42

 Jesus> Christ, let not the fire touch Thecla, but stand by her, for she is thine"; she, standing behind him, cried out, "O Father, who hast made the heaven and the earth, Thou the Father of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ I praise thee that thou hast saved me from the fire, that I may see Paul again." And Paul rising up, saw her, and said, "O God, that knowest the heart, Father of [our Lord] Jesus Christ; I praise thee, that thou hast speedily heard my prayer."

25. And there was great love in the tomb, for Paul and Onesiphorus and the others all rejoiced. And they had five loaves, and herbs, and water, and they rejoiced in the holy works of Christ. And Thecla said to Paul, "I will cut my hair off, and I shall follow thee whithersoever thou goest." But he said, "Times are evil, and thou art beautiful. I am afraid lest another temptation come upon thee worse than the first, and that thou withstand it not, but become mad after men." And Thecla said, "Only give me the seal in Christ, and no temptation shall touch me." And Paul said, " Thecla, be patient, thou shalt receive the water [baptism]."

26. And Paul sent away Onesiphorus and all his house to Iconium ; and having taken Thecla, went into Antioch. And as soon as they had arrived a